TEPLICE PROGRAM - THE IMPACT OF AIR-POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH

The aim of the Teplice Program is to investigate and assess the impact of air pollution on the health of the population in the district of T eplice, Czech Republic. Characterization of the air pollutants demonst rated unusually high concentrations during winter inversions of fine p articles dominated by acidic sulfates, genotoxic organic compounds, an d toxic trace elements. The major source of airborne fine particles is the burning of coal for healing and power. Human exposure and biomark er studies demonstrated large seasonal variations in air pollution wit hin the Teplice District and higher seasonal average pollution levels than the comparative district, Prachatice. Personal exposures to fine particles and organic carcinogens [e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarb ons (PAH)] were correlated with excretion of PAH metabolites in urine, several trace metals in blood, and DNA adducts in white blood cells. Respiratory and neurobehavioral studies of school children were conduc ted using questionnaires and clinical measures. A significantly higher prevalence of adverse respiratory symptoms and decreased lung functio n were found in the Teplice district than in Prachatice. The neurobeha vioral studies indicated significantly higher teacher referrals for cl inical assessment in Teplice, but the majority of objective performanc e measures did not differ. Reproductive studies were conducted in both males and females. A study of the effects of exposure on pregnancy an d birth found an excess prevalence of low birth weight and premature b irths in Teplice; these adverse effects were more common in infants co nceived in the winter and whose mothers were smokers. Based on questio nnaires and medical examination, the reproductive development of young men was not different between districts and seasons, however, measure s of semen quality suggest that exposure to high levels of air polluti on are associated with transient decrements in semen quality.